Crystal Palace 1-5 Arsenal: Player ratings from Gunners pre-Christmas goal rush

A Gabriel Jesus brace and goals from Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli spared Arsenal's defensive blushes during a wild 5-1 win away to Crystal Palace in the Premier League. The early withdrawal of Bukayo Saka was the only lingering negative from the day.

Crystal Palace FC v Arsenal FC - Premier League
Crystal Palace FC v Arsenal FC - Premier League | Julian Finney/GettyImages
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Forwards

Gabriel Martinelli
Martinelli got back among the goals. | Julian Finney/GettyImages

Bukayo Saka (RW) - 7/0 - Maybe a seven is stretching the point since he wasn't on the pitch for even half an hour. Yet it was Saka's direct pace and willingness to take defenders on and cross early that teed up Jesus for Arsenal's opening goal. Now the Christmas wishlist can include a speedy recovery for the Gunners' main man.

Gabriel Jesus (ST) - 9/10 - Everything just seems right with the world at Arsenal when Jesus is scoring goals. Only a couple of gilt-edged misses that denied him a hat-trick, prevented the No. 9 from getting a perfect rating. Missing out on a perfect 10 is one thing, but Jesus in this form can be the X factor that wins Arsenal the title.

Gabriel Martinelli (LW) - 8/10 - It wasn't his neatest game, but Martinelli still came out of it with a goal and plenty of credit. He earned the latter for his hard work on both flanks, effort defined by the same willingness to run at people as Saka, to go with a relentless appetite for firing crosses into the box. If Martinelli's upturn can mirror the upward trajectory of Jesus, Arsenal will be unstoppable in the title race post-Christmas.


Substitutes

  • Leandro Trossard - 5/10
  • Declan Rice - 9/10
  • Riccardo Calafiori - 7/10
  • Ethan Nwaneri - N/A
  • Mikel Merino - N/A

Player of the match: Gabriel Jesus


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